Pumping It Up + Robertson Park

We actually forgot to change the clocks this morning and I had plans to go renew my gym membership so that I could take a Body Pump class. Unfortunately for me and my gas tank, I ended-up driving there an hour before the class actually started. #timechangefail

However, I was determined to pump some iron this morning so I went home and made a batch of Vegan Lentil Barley Stew for lunches during the week while I waited for the hour to pass.

Getting back into group fitness felt really good and I was hoping the instructor would teach one of the newer releases, but she failed to read my telepathic signals and did an older one. I stuck to light weights {being that it’s been a few months since I’ve done any regular weight training} and man, I’ve got some catching up to do! I was trembling by the end and I used barely half of the weight I used to. Sheesh.

After I did some more food prep for the week and ate lunch, Brandon and I took Coco to Robertson Park, where my 10k race was a few weeks ago.

It’s funny to see how much she lights up outdoors; she’s definitely an outside dog.

We followed the same trail as the race which starts by leading out of the park and behind a neighborhood.

Along the way we saw a pomegranate tree in someone’s backyard:

Pretty cool, huh? I’m obviously amused by the little things.

Then the trail eventually cuts across a bridge and opens up to the beautiful vineyards.

The bridge actually bounces when you run over it and I remember it feeling so weird with a herd of people running across during the race.

I also remember the view of the vineyards and the hills giving me chills as I ran.

When I saw them I had a moment, reminiscing how far Brandon and I have come, all the way from Florida to Texas and now California. Sometimes it all still feels very surreal to me.

As the trail continues, it is wide open and eventually reaches it’s own set of hills but we decided to turn around before that point as 6.2 miles is a little too far for Coco’s ten year-old joints.

On the way back, we noticed the scent of licorice and realized that we were surrounded by fennel trees.

There was a cool little buggah on it too.

Not exactly my favorite seed but still neat to see.

Anyway, it made for a nice Sunday afternoon and I also wanted to share the fantastic views from my race with you all. It certainly made the 10k more enjoyable!

I’ve been so off my body pump game but eventually I’ll get there. I’m sticking with stew eating as my main form of activity these days haha

I get hit with that surreal feeling quite often when I’m out in nature — it’s hard not to when you’re surrounded by so much beauty. And I love how you notice all the little things, even the bugs on fennel seeds :)

such pretty photos! i, too, made a pot of soup today — it’s been a nice long sunday!

That is totally the worst part about time changes – when you show up an hour early or late. I’ve been there!
All these photos are so lovely – it’s great how some time out in nature can make you appreciate all those little things!

Coco is too cute! Looks like you had a great weekend. I forgot about the time change as well, but luckily I just slept and when I realized the time changed, I went back to bed for an hour before catching my train back home. It was lovely :)

These pictures are just gorgeous! So pretty … and that pomegranate tree is way cool. Our neighbors have three apple trees that are right on the border of our property … and I think they are just about the coolest thing ever haha I personally want a lemon tree but we’ll see if that ever happens : )

I would’ve been soo amused by that tree! I think that’s so cool maybe because I LOVE pomegranates

Haha aww don’t feel bad about forgetting about the time change..I bet a lot of people did. I didn’t really do anything other than enjoy the extra hour to sleep/watch Breaking Bad. Glad you got back in BodyPump..I have yet to take a class but I’m waiting until my back feels better. ANYWAY, that trail looks gorgeous and is probably the prettiest 10k course I’ve ever seen.

Atti is definitely the same way when he gets outdoors – he just loves running around in the fresh air! And I slept with my extra hour ;-) I was at a party the night before and didn’t get to bed until late, so the extra time was much appreciated!

It looks like a beautiful walk! I love how excited Bentley gets when we take him on walks, but he usually prefers to be inside on the couch with us if we are home. You and Brandon are going to have a lot more wonderful journeys to come!

Gorgeous views…booking a flight to Cali right now. I love how energetic your pup looks outside, look how happy she looks!! Any plans for another 10K anytime soon?

I might sign up for one next year but honestly, I’m too big a wuss to run in the cold! ;)

That’s awesome that even though you showed up early to class and went home – you still came back. That’s super impressive. :)
Coco pictures! Bring them all to me! She is so stinking adorable and I feel the same way about my dog. He just seems so much happier when he gets to run around – free, off his leash and in the wild. I actually let him do that last night a little bit and he never ceases to amaze me with his speed! He’s sooo fast!
All that nature is beautiful! I’m glad I’m not the only one who gets chills of excitement when scenery is just that amazing… Have a wonderful Monday my love!

I slept in thanks to the extra-hour and it felt amazing! Although we Spaniards changed our clocks a week ago instead ;)
Oooh I’d love to take up body pump classes as well, it sounds fun! But very tiring as well uuugh.
Have a wonderful week :)

Your photos are amazing! Love them! I have never seen a pom tree before. So cool! All I did with my extra hour was sleep. :)

I have been wanting to do that race for the past 2 years but something always falls on that date. October is generally my busiest month. Your photos make me determined to do the race next year :) Lemme know if you’re going to be any other 10ks. I’d love to run one with you. I’ll be shifting gears after my marathon in Dec and got some 10k and 1/2 marathon goals I want to tackle.

Coco looks so freaking happy outside :) She reminds me of our old family dog Eclipse. All black with the old lady grey. Still pups at heart. Love.

I “slept in” the extra hour. It felt pretty good.

Aww Coco’s so happy to frolic outside! Their excitement is definitely contagious. Those views are gorgeous!! Glad you made the most of your extra hour! We set our clocks back Saturday so we could have an extra hour of wine time ;-)

Beautiful photos – what a fun trail. I would have loved to see someone’s pomegranate tree too! I used my extra hour to get to the grocery store early before it got crowded. It was nice to sip my coffee and enjoy my shopping. For whatever reason, I find grocery shopping to be a calming experience. I love discovering new products and thinking of new recipes.

You’re right, those are fantastic views! Especially love the vineyard pics and the ones with Coco looking so ecstatic with life. My dog always looks overjoyed when we’re outside too! Gotta love it.

Speaking of time change fails, I could swear that I changed the clock next to my bed last night, but this morning I woke up all was all, “CRAP! I overslept”….2 seconds later I looked at my phone and saw the correct time. Turns out I was right on time :)

Looking at your pics it was almost like taking a stroll with you. Nice, I enjoyed very much. Thanks for sharing. p.s. I hate this one hour less thing!

That vegan stew sounds delicious! I love the pictures of your dog. I ended up grocery shopping super early on Sunday because I felt well rested with that extra hour. It was dead in the store but nice and relaxing. Thank goodness my cellphone changed the time automatically :)

Totally agree about the extra hour! It actually gave me the motivation to clean our kitchen and bathrooms. Super exciting, hah. Love the gorgeous views, and I’m so jealous that you live in a place where pomegranates and fennel grow!